"Memoir is a written expression of learning through living." - F. Scott Service
Welcome To F. Scott Service's Book Awards and Reviews Page
Awards for Lines in the Sand
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Winner in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Nonfiction.
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Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Awarded the Pacific Book Review Star
for a Memoir of Excellent Merit.
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Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Voted as one of the best reviewed books
by IndieReader in April, 2021.
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Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Awarded the Readers' Favorite Five-Star Review Seal for Memoir.
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Reviews for Lines in the Sand
IndieReader - Voted as one of the best reviewed books in April, 2021
"... reads beautifully; measured yet flowing and totally absorbing."
Pacific Book Review - Awarded the Pacific Book Review Star for a memoir of excellent merit
"... a powerful story of self-exploration, loss, and heartbreaking anguish."
Readers' Favorite
"Impeccably written, relentlessly engaging, so intimate it hurts, Service’s extraordinary tale is where the reader wants and needs to be."
Best Sellers World
"... a unique and very intimate look into the thoughts and emotions brought on by a world falling apart."
Get Read
"A recurring theme of the book is the concept of conscientious objector and its repercussions."
Reader's House Magazine
"... a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of one man's internal struggle... "
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
What they had to say:
“This book seems to explore the man as much as the war. I thought it was outstanding.” - Male reader, aged 38
“A very honest account of the war in Iraq and the effect it had on the troops that were sent there. The author works hard to put over the desert setting and the many dangers they faced. I suspect readers interested in the Iraq war, PTSD, and how the US ‘war machine’ works, will find this interesting.” - Male reader, aged 60
“A compelling insight into how a man lost everything whilst on duty in the army. Very sad in parts, although there is light at the end of the tunnel. To me this book shows how difficult it can be to want to do what’s right for your country but still object to fighting in a war.” - Female reader, aged 55
“Personally, I understand this man’s feelings. It’s not just what he went through, it’s how little support he got when he returned. I would recommend every politician read this book before sending men off to fight in another war. Back in World War 1, the generals seemed to see the troops as just pawns in a game of chess. Nothing seems to change.” - Male reader, aged 61
“This is not just the nuts and bolts of the Iraq war, it’s a personal journey. Compelling stuff.” - Female reader, aged 31
To Sum It Up:
'A truly honest account of a man’s war and the effects it had on his life. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!' - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
N.N. Light's Book Heaven
"... reads like you are being spoken to by a close friend."
Awards for Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Finalist in the 2021 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for New Nonfiction
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Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Winner of the 2021 IndieReader Discovery Awards for Memoir
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Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Finalist in the 2021 Book Excellence Awards
for Memoir
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Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Finalist in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards
for Best Cover Design and Adult Nonfiction
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Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Honorable Mention Award in the 2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Nonfiction/Military
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Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Playing Soldier
Finalist in the 2021 Independent Author Network Book Awards for Autobiography/Biography
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Playing Soldier
Finalist in the 2021 N.N. Light Book Awards
for Memoir
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Reviews for Playing Soldier
IndieReader - Voted as one of the best reviewed books in February, 2021
"Playing Soldier is a gripping memoir of life, war, loss, and recovery that effectively conveys the fear and horror of a shell-shocked veteran who had once romanticized the idea of being a soldier."
Pacific Book Review
"... a true journey of self-discovery, and eventually self-acceptance."
Self-Publishing Review
"Rarely does a memoir feel this raw and immediate, as though some part of the author never left the far-flung places that changed his life forever... "
Readers' Favorite
"Author F. Scott Service offers a candid, raw, and highly emotional slice of the soul in this unforgettable and well-crafted work."
Best Sellers World
"... a memoir dedicated to the human condition at its rawest, walking the line between life and death."
Book Life/Publishers Weekly
"Iraq War veteran Service (Lines in the Sand) delivers a blistering rebuke to the military with this extraordinary war (and peace) memoir."
The Independent Review of Books
"... a savagely honest work, unadulterated by too much self-editing or posturing."
Book Talk
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
What they had to say:
“An interesting look into modern history/culture from the POV of a boy growing up seeking the approval of his military father. The best way to describe this novel is ´torment´; the author is so tormented from the beginning. It´s all a bit depressing; not the sort of book to bring to the beach for a light read. But it´s enthralling, honest and highly emotional." - Male reader, aged 57
“The author of this had lived a very interesting life. This is a gritty read, and I would strongly recommend it to anybody wishing to understand the aftermath of going to war. It´s not a pretty sight." - Female reader, aged 49
“A glimpse into the life of the military, going to war, and the resulting PTSD. Shocking, sad, depressing, eye-opening are the best words to describe this book." - Male reader, aged 52
“I loved this book! The author´s story is fascinating and feels so honest. There´s also a little humour sprinkled here and there which I enjoyed. Anybody thinking of going into the military might want to read this first. It´s not like the adverts shown on the TV!” - Female reader, aged 35
To Sum It Up:
‘A gritty exploration of war and the effects it has on the human condition. A FINALIST and highly recommended!' - The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
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